Jio’s viral claim of free 25 GB data stands false
A message is being circulated on social media platforms that Jio along with Facebook would be giving 25 GB free daily data for a span of six months to all the Jio users amidst the difficult times of coronavirus lockdown.
“GOOD NEWS! Jio and Facebook are giving 25GB Data Daily for 6 months to all Jio users due to lockdown of COVID-19. Download this app now: http://tiny.cc/psbmnz”, reads the message.
TWITTER:
WhatsApp:
Truth:
The link which is being circulated on all social media platforms is originally a shorter version of this: https://offermyprime.weebly.com
Weebly is basically a web hosting website where users can create blogs and websites for their own personal use.
The fact that there is no JIO-Prime app makes it very clear that the link does not in any way land users to an app originally made by Jio company. The apps under Jio are MyJio, JioCloud, JioNews and etc.
On going ahead with the link, you will notice that it directs you to an “apk” file known as “android application package” which is used for installation as well as the distribution of apps. And mostly when you install any app through this link, the first pop up that arises is of a message which reads “this type of file could harm your phone, download only if you trust the source”. The best option users should opt is of using the app store for downloading any app, as it does not contain any apk files. Since it is very unlikely on the part of a company like Jio to ever ask its users to go for an alternate option in place of the app store, the message itself speaks in abundance that its a scam and one must not proceed with it.
These are usually WhatsApp/Telemarket scams and the aim behind such a plan is usually to earn a lot of money. This is how these are processed:
There are generally two ways in which these scams are operated-
1- Such offers do not ask the users to pay any money so they think giving it a shot will not harm them in any manner as they might as well turn lucky if they worked well. So they often start with filling up forms, submitting and sharing it on other Whatsapp groups as directed. Since a lot of people send it on various groups, members of these groups also give it a try and this way a lot of people collectively register on the website in a very short span of time.
The owners of these websites then use these contacts of the registered users as database and sell it for telemarking which further begin giving you calls on insurance offers, schemes, loans etc.
2- Advertisement on their home page which increases traffic through a lot of visits in less time. The owner earns on the basis of how many visitors view their website.
What can you do?
1- Check the URL of the website. A credible website will never have a complicated name with too many characters joined in a line making it longer than a usual URL. The government websites will mostly have “.gov” so it is easy to recognise when it is not a government website.
2- The right website will never ask you to share the link with 8 or 10 more people on your Whatsapp. It is a trap and you should be able to catch it the next time you find it.
3- On looking closely, you will be able to catch many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes which a properly made authentic website will not usually have.
4- The kind of ads and banners they run on their page will speak volumes.
RESULT:
This message is a scam. This information is not disseminated by Facebook or Jio and is in fact a product of misleading information made by hackers.
